GoPro released a video featuring a ride on Triple Crown winner American Pharoah. For those who haven’t had a chance to watch it, use the Chrome browser so you can look around while playing the video. This is similar to how you would look around in Google maps except it’s within an active video. Another cool feature is this video can be stitched together and viewed on Oculus or other VR hardware.
This Raises the Question, is it Time to Switch from 3D to VR?
For years it seems we have tried to go 3D. I remember watching Jaws 3D thinking this was it-every movie would be in 3D in no time. For a few short years, that was the case. Many of the 3D movies were viewed either in red/blue glasses or the polarized version. The technology even made it into home theater. The shuttle lenses were available way back with my Sega master system. However the limited games and expensive hardware prevented this from taking off.
Now 3D feels like it has reached its highest saturation point, and people are turning to curved displays or more Ks (4Ks, 8Ks, etc.). But how immersive can staring into a window be? Currently the best way to feel immersed in a movie watching experience is with surround sound.
Lights Camera Action
VR technology is ready to use by avid film producers, but it will require a lot more production work. Think about the production process. Having a camera that films every angle means you’re going to need a complete set, not just the façades normally used. It also means those CGI effects will have to be mixed in, which limits this tech to more traditional filming techniques. We might see a lot more traditional documentaries and action films until movies can be made again with VR support.
This overlapping film style means every time you watch a film you get more and more information. Maybe the first time you watch a war movie you’ll watch the front lines and next time you go see a battle off in the distance. In the same sense the hardest part of watching reruns is knowing everything that’s going to happen. This could bring renewed excitement to watching your favorite films over and over.
VR isn’t Without its Problems
One of the leading problems is something I describe as ‘family night.’ As it stands, it’s cool to sit down with family and friends and enjoy a movie with dinner. But if everyone is wearing a VR headset then you can’t see if that movie joke made them smile or frown, or if the popcorn is burning on the stove. It separates us while were all together. This is one of the drawbacks for 3D, too, because if a friend shows up and we’re out of glasses, is he just going to stare at our blurry screen? At least with VR, my buddy can watch the screen while everyone one is in their own world, and maybe he’ll want to be a part of that world, too.
Is 3D dead? Is VR the future? What technology do you think is going to win? Let us know in the comments below before it’s too late and the next greatest thing is upon us.
